Repentance and Reflection

I grew up Baptist.  That's all I've ever known.  And if someone had ever told me I'd be observing Lent someday I would have laughed.  Doesn't everyone know that's a Catholic holiday?!  Yet I feel drawn to this time of repentance and reflection.  What can I sacrifice to grow closer to Christ? 

I felt it would help me to be accountable if I wrote about this, even if no one else reads it, but I've decided to completely cut out desserts of any kind for the next 40 days.  (If you know me, you know that's a big deal.) I'm not entirely sure about fasting because I will be running and training again soon, and I need to research that some more.  I will be limiting facebook to just responding to messages I receive through email.  As a way to grow closer to Christ, I've also decided to memorize the sermon on the mount.  Ann Voscamp over at A Holy Experience has shared some lovely scripture memorization cards for this and a plan that takes the rest of the calendar year.  I hope to memorize it a bit quicker, but we'll see.  :)

A Time For Testing

I've been asked a lot about how homeschoolers do testing.  It really varies from state to state.  Some require certain tests to be taken and some none at all.  We are not required to turn in any kind of documentation in our state, but you will find that the vast majority of homeschoolers happily participate in standardized testing.  It's a great way to measure results and adjust your teaching to fit your child's unique needs.  It also protects the freedom we have because the results are so positive. 

Third grade is the first year you can participate in the Iowa tests, and that's what we were planning to do.  However, the registration for them was last summer and I barely missed it.  So, there's an opportunity for the girls (yep, both) to take the Stanford Achievement exams this April, and we're going to do it.  I'm going to carve out some time that they can practice in peace, because this is what our schooling often looks like:

Okay, so if you look close you'll see that Giggles is actually reading a Magic Treehouse book, so this wasn't really schooltime.  :)  But it does accurately represent schooling with little ones around.  Lots of being loved on and learning patience.  Sometimes one of the big girls will take a quick break from their book work to read a story to Calico and she loves it.  Little sisters have it made! 

They Make Me Laugh

My sweet Giggles suprised me with this arrangment during nap/quiet time yesterday.  I laughed when I saw her arrangment of dolls sitting at desks, but was amazed when I realized she had set it up so each doll had created her own Valentine's Day picture!  She sure is imaginative. 

 I asked her about the doll in the far back left corner, and her answer was "She fell asleep in class".  :)

This girl has made me laugh a little bit lately by her particular habit.  She's the first of our children at barely two years old who has to straighten her blankies when we tuck her in.  She crawls all over the white blanket with flowers on it to make it completely flat, pulling on the corners and sides.  (I'm not sure how it got rumply again in this picture.)  Then we cover her with her green blankie and wrap her like a papoose.  It's her thing, and I love her for it!

Happy Heart Day!

In honor of Valentine's day, I have some special pictures to show you.

This was our latest science project; taking a peek at the heart of a sheep!  Yay.  As you can see, the girls are overjoyed.  :)  I was in my element, showing where the different parts were located, as the girls were making gagging sounds.  Perhaps second and third grade is a little young?  But no matter, we're studying anatomy this year so they better get used to it!

And now for a more traditional Valentine's picture:

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Super Pop!

I know.  Lame.

But, I personally thought our little superman lollipops were adorable.  The tag reads "Have a SUPER Valentine's Day!"  Thank you very much, Pinterest.  You're the best.

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day!

Blog Award!

My sweet friend Jennifer over at Two Frogs and a Grasshopper was kind enough to bestow my little blog with the Liebster Award recently!

What's it all about?  Liebster is a German word that means dearest, beloved, or favorite.  (Ah, I'm so flattered!)  Here are the rules when given the award:

1.  You must link back to the person who bestowed the award.  (check!)
2.  You must give this award to five other bloggers with fewer than 200 readers.  Please let them know through a comment on their blog. (See below.)
3.  Post the beautiful award on your blog.  (check!)
4.  Bask in the glory bestowed upon you and appreciate all the amazing bloggers out there.  (Basking   away.)
5.  Spread the joy!  (I'll do my best.)

Here are five lovely blogs I frequent, in no particular order.  Check them out!

Our Story Goes For Miles

Stories of a big family, weekly menu plans, and thoughts on gratefulness.

She Says . . .

Stories about family, great recipes!

The Coleman Five

Organization, parenting, marriage, and decorating.

Beyond the Churchyard

Book reviews, helpful life tips, food for thought.

Amber Fischer Photography

Wonderful photos, fun commentary!

Special People of the Day

Today I want to write about two gals that I love:  my friend "T" and my sister-in-law, Melissa. 

I'll start with T.  We very randomly became friends over five years ago when she and her family were put into our small group.  I remember meeting them and wondering if we'd have anything in common besides our kids.  Turns out we do!  T. could easily have been raised in the same household as me.  We are both frugal and not really "material girls".  She is easily the top friend I confide in and thankfully still calls me a friend after knowing all my faults!  :)  Her friendship is a gift.

Now on to my sister Melissa.  I wish I could know her better; she doesn't live near us.  But I've always kind of been in awe of her.  She seems to succeed in everything she tries.   She has always been so encouraging to me and I love how much she loves my sweet babies.  Someday we must take a vacation to see her and the rest of the fam!

Happy Birthday Calico!

Our precious baby has turned two and I want to record a little of what she has been up to for her birthday.

It's traditional for Ethan's parents to take our kiddos to Build-A-Bear on their birthdays.  This was her first time.  She chose the penguin from Happy Feet and named it "Flop". 

This morning she had an entire fake conversation with Grandma (my mom) on her cell phone.  It ended with "I luff you too.  See ya 'morrow!"  For the record, we could probably get rid of all her toys as long as we let her keep her cell phones.  She has four.

She wanted to brush my hair before her naptime.  This was a first.  She complemented me on my barrette, saying how "pity" it was.  While brushing my hair, she kept leaning over my shoulder and asking "Are you byoo-fow, Mommy?  Are you byoo-fow?"

Why do they have to grow up so fast?!